Bill	Session	Author & Sponsor	Caption	Committees	Last action
HB 301	86-0 (2019)	Author: Murr, Andrew	Relating to fees collected by a justice court; increasing a fee.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence	Withdrawn from schedule
HB 994	86-0 (2019)	Author: Guillen, Ryan \| et. al. Sponsor: Flores, Peter \| et. al.	Relating to appeals to justice courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	House: Ways & Means Senate: Property Tax	Vetoed by the Governor
HB 1033	86-0 (2019)	Author: Murr, Andrew	Relating to the jurisdiction of county and justice courts in civil matters.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence	Withdrawn from schedule
HB 1380	86-0 (2019)	Author: Murr, Andrew	Relating to the jurisdiction of certain courts and fees collected by a justice court; increasing a fee.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: State Affairs	Referred to State Affairs
SB 211	86-0 (2019)	Author: Flores, Peter	Relating to the procedures for protests and appeals of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	Senate: Property Tax	Left pending in committee
SB 635	86-0 (2019)	Author: Flores, Peter \| et. al.	Relating to the procedures for protests and appeals of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	Senate: Property Tax	Referred to Property Tax
SB 793	86-0 (2019)	Author: Alvarado, Carol	Relating to the jurisdiction of county and justice courts in civil matters.	Senate: State Affairs	Referred to State Affairs
SB 1686	86-0 (2019)	Author: West, Royce	Relating to the eligibility of certain criminal defendants for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information.	Senate: Criminal Justice	Referred to Criminal Justice
SB 409	85-0 (2017)	Author: Huffines, Don	Relating to the jurisdiction of county and justice courts in civil matters.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: State Affairs	Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
HB 2282	84-0 (2015)	Author: Guillen, Ryan Sponsor: Uresti, Carlos	Relating to the procedures for protests and appeals of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	House: Ways & Means Senate: Finance	Vetoed by the Governor
HB 1263	83-0 (2013)	Author: Lewis, Tryon Sponsor: Duncan, Robert	Relating to the delay in the implementation of the abolishment of small claims courts.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: Administration	Effective immediately
HB 1598	83-0 (2013)	Author: Gonzalez, Naomi	Relating to the jurisdiction of county and justice courts.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence	Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
SB 576	83-0 (2013)	Author: Duncan, Robert	Relating to the delay in the implementation of the abolishment of small claims courts.	Senate: Jurisprudence	Not again placed on intent calendar
SB 1158	82-0 (2011)	Author: West, Royce	Relating to restrictions on the disclosure of certain criminal history records and to the duty of law enforcement agencies regarding records associated with certain defendants.	Senate: Criminal Justice	No action taken in committee
HB 600	81-0 (2009)	Author: Hughes, Bryan \| et. al.	Relating to appeals from small claims courts.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: Administration	Referred to Administration
HB 3637	81-0 (2009)	Author: Hughes, Bryan Sponsor: Wentworth, Jeff	Relating to filing fees in civil actions and proceedings and the use of those fees, to costs on conviction in certain courts, to money paid into the registry of a court in certain counties, and to the appointment of counsel in certain suits.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: Administration	Effective on 9/1/09
HB 3763	81-0 (2009)	Author: Gattis, Dan	Relating to the jurisdiction and administration of, and procedures relating to, certain courts in this state, including procedures for appeals.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence	Left pending in committee
HR 2968	81-0 (2009)	Author: Hughes, Bryan	Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 408.		Reported enrolled
SB 408	81-0 (2009)	Author: Carona, John Sponsor: Hughes, Bryan	Relating to jurisdiction, venue, and appeals in certain matters, including the jurisdiction of and appeals from certain courts and administrative decisions and the appointment of counsel in certain appeals.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: Jurisprudence	See remarks for effective date
SB 992	81-0 (2009)	Author: Duncan, Robert	Relating to the jurisdiction and administration of, and procedures relating to, certain courts in this state, including procedures for appeals.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: Jurisprudence	Referred to subcommittee
SB 1117	81-0 (2009)	Author: Nichols, Robert	Relating to the appeal of certain ad valorem tax determinations through binding arbitration.	Senate: Finance	Left pending in committee
SB 1754	81-0 (2009)	Author: Wentworth, Jeff	Relating to filing fees for civil actions or proceedings in a district, county, justice, or small claims court.	House: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Senate: Jurisprudence	Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
SR 1089	81-0 (2009)	Author: Carona, John	Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 408.		Reported enrolled
HB 196	80-0 (2007)	Author: Gonzalez Toureilles, Yvonne	Relating to appeals from small claims courts.	House: Civil Practices	Committee report sent to Calendars
SB 618	80-0 (2007)	Author: Wentworth, Jeff Sponsor: Hartnett, Will \| et. al.	Relating to the jurisdiction of and representation in the county, justice, and small claims courts in civil matters.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/07
SB 1412	80-0 (2007)	Author: Hinojosa, Juan Sponsor: Gonzales, Veronica	Relating to certain fees collected by justice courts and small claims courts.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/07
SB 1416	80-0 (2007)	Author: Hinojosa, Juan Sponsor: Gonzales, Veronica	Relating to the amount of a judgment that may be appealed from small claims court.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/07
SB 1662	80-0 (2007)	Author: Janek, Kyle	Relating to information provided to a plaintiff in a small claims court by a defendant against whom judgment is rendered.	Senate: Jurisprudence	Referred to Jurisprudence
HB 182	79-0 (2005)	Author: Mowery, Anna \| et. al. Sponsor: Janek, Kyle	Relating to the appeal of certain ad valorem tax determinations through binding arbitration.	House: Local Government Ways & Means Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/05
SB 181	79-0 (2005)	Author: Janek, Kyle	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	Senate: Jurisprudence	Left pending in committee
SB 438	79-0 (2005)	Author: Gallegos, Jr., Mario Sponsor: Solis, Jim \| et. al.	Relating to service of citation in small claims courts.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Corrected comm. rept. sent to Local & Consent
SB 1424	79-0 (2005)	Author: Gallegos, Jr., Mario Sponsor: Solis, Jim	Relating to filing fees in a civil matter in a justice court or small claims court.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/05
SB 1425	79-0 (2005)	Author: Gallegos, Jr., Mario Sponsor: Solis, Jim	Relating to the filing of an affidavit of inability to pay in appealing a small claims court judgment.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/05
HB 396	78-0 (2003)	Author: Mowery, Anna \| et. al. Sponsor: Williams, Tommy	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	House: Local Government Ways and Means Senate: Intergovernmental Relations	Placed on intent calendar
HB 981	78-0 (2003)	Author: Solomons, Burt	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain determinations of the appraised value of property for ad valorem tax purposes.	House: Local Government Ways and Means	Left pending in committee
HB 41	78-4 (2003)	Author: Mowery, Anna	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	House: Public School Finance, Select	Referred to Public School Finance, Select
HB 57	78-4 (2003)	Author: Ellis, Dan	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	House: Public School Finance, Select	Referred to Public School Finance, Select
SB 27	78-4 (2003)	Author: Williams, Tommy	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	Senate: Intergovernmental Relations	Referred to Intergovernmental Relations
HB 284	77-0 (2001)	Author: King, Phil	Relating to service and contents of citation and answer in justice and small claims courts.	House: Civil Practices Senate: Jurisprudence	Referred to Jurisprudence
HB 1060	77-0 (2001)	Author: Mowery, Anna	Relating to appeals to small claims courts of certain ad valorem tax determinations.	House: Ways & Means	Referred to subcommittee
HB 31	76-0 (1999)	Author: Goolsby, Tony	Relating to the jurisdiction of the county, justice, and small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs	No action taken in committee
SB 55	76-0 (1999)	Author: Carona, John	Relating to the jurisdiction of the county, justice, and small claims courts.	Senate: Intergovernmental Relations	No action taken in committee
SB 250	76-0 (1999)	Author: Ellis, Rodney	Relating to civil jurisdiction and the awarding of attorney's fees in justice and small claims courts.	Senate: Jurisprudence	Referred to Jurisprudence
HB 721	75-0 (1997)	Author: Alexander, Clyde	Relating to certain fees collected by a justice of the peace.	House: County Affairs	Referred to County Affairs
HB 3153	75-0 (1997)	Author: Hilbert, Paul	Relating to civil jurisdiction and the awarding of attorney's fees in justice and small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs	Referred to Judicial Affairs
SB 1500	75-0 (1997)	Author: Ellis, Rodney Sponsor: Hilbert, Paul	Relating to civil jurisdiction and the awarding of attorney's fees in justice and small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs Senate: Jurisprudence	Point of order sustained
SCR 49	73-0 (1993)	Author: Montford, John	Requesting the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor to create a joint interim committee to study the jurisdiction, procedure, fines, costs, administration, facilities, and operation of the justice of the peace, municipal and small claims courts in the State of Texas.	Senate: Administration	Laid on table subject to call in committee
HB 180	72-0 (1991)	Author: Eckels, Robert Sponsor: Brown, J.E.	Relating to a seal for justice courts and for small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/91
HB 389	72-0 (1991)	Author: Tallas, Jim	Relating to the jurisdiction of the justice and small claims courts.	House: Judiciary	Referred to subcommittee
HB 1431	72-0 (1991)	Author: Denton, Betty Sponsor: Ratliff, Bill	Relating to the jurisdiction of the county, justice, and small claims courts, to the processing and storage of information in the civil docket of a justice of the peace, and to the jurisdiction of certain municipal courts over certain hearings relating to stored motor vehicles.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/91
SB 304	72-0 (1991)	Author: Ratliff, Bill	Relating to the jurisdiction of the county, justice and small claims court.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Referred to Judiciary
HB 120	72-2 (1991)	Author: McCollough, Parker	Relating to the fees charged by justice courts and small claims courts.		Filed
HB 488	71-0 (1989)	Author: Rudd, Jim Sponsor: Glasgow, Bob	Relating to justice and small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on 9/1/89
HB 1108	71-0 (1989)	Author: Tallas, Jim Sponsor: Brown, J.E.	Relating to small claims court jurisdiction.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective in 90 days-8/28/89
HB 110	71-2 (1989)	Author: Eckels, Robert	Relating to a seal for justice courts and for small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs	Referred to Judicial Affairs
HB 30	71-4 (1990)	Author: Eckels, Robert	Relating to a seal for justice courts and for small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs	Referred to Judicial Affairs
HB 14	71-5 (1990)	Author: Eckels, Robert	Relating to a seal for justice courts and for small claims courts.	House: Judicial Affairs	Referred to Judicial Affairs
HB 624	70-0 (1987)	Author: Eckels, Robert Sponsor: Henderson, Don	Relating to actions and procedures concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the justice and small claims courts and to the concurrent jurisdiction of county courts.	House: Judicial Affairs Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective immediately
HB 1623	70-0 (1987)	Author: Eckels, Robert	Relating to the institution of an action and enforcement of a judgment in small claims court.	House: Judicial Affairs	Referred to Judicial Affairs
HB 1730	70-0 (1987)	Author: Garcia, Orlando	Relating to certain persons representing other persons in justice court.	House: Judicial Affairs	Pending in committee
HB 42	68-0 (1983)	Author: Thompson, Gary Sponsor: Glasgow, Bob	Relating to small claims court procedure in justice courts.	House: Judicial Affairs Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HB 1419	68-0 (1983)	Author: Schoolcraft, Alan	Relating to the jurisdiction of the small claims court.	House: Judicial Affairs	No action taken
HB 1376	67-0 (1981)	Author: Schoolcraft, Alan	Relating to the jurisdiction of the small claims court.	House: Judicial Affairs	Referred to subcommittee
SB 454	67-0 (1981)	Author: Parker, Carl	Relating to the jurisdiction of the small claims court.	Senate: Jurisprudence	Reported from committee favorably without amendments
HB 234	66-0 (1979)	Author: Lalor, Lance	Relating to the jurisdiction of the justice court and the small claims court.	House: Judiciary	Referred to Committee on Judiciary
HB 343	66-0 (1979)	Author: Grant, Ben Z.	Relating to the jurisdiction of the justice court and the small claims court.	House: Judiciary	Referred to Committee on Judiciary
HB 643	65-0 (1977)	Author: Lalor, Lance	Relating to jurisdiction of Small Claims Courts.	House: Judicial Affairs	Assigned to General State Calendar
HB 651	65-0 (1977)	Author: Hill, Gerald	Relating to jurisdiction of Small Claims Court.	House: Judiciary	Referred to subcommittee
HB 861	65-0 (1977)	Author: Wyatt, Jr., Joe	Relating to certain fees and jurisdiction of Small Claims Court.	House: Judiciary	Referred to subcommittee
HB 2122	65-0 (1977)	Author: Cain, David	Creating municipal small claims courts in certain cities; providing for the jurisdiction, venue, administration and procedures of these courts and declaring an emergency.	House: Intergovernmental Affairs	Referred to Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
HB 1327	64-0 (1975)	Author: Allen, Joe Sponsor: Gammage, R.A. "Bob"	Relating to judgments in small claims courts not claimed by the plaintiff.	House: Judiciary Senate: Jurisprudence	Effective in 90 days
HB 1600	63-0 (1973)	Author: Hale, L. DeWitt	Relating to directing the designation of certain small claims courts utilizing a simple, informal, and inexpensive procedure for the prompt determination of small claims in accordance with the rules and principles of substantive law; providing an effective day; repealing Chapter 309, Acts of the 53rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1953, as amended (Article 2460a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); and declaring an emergency.	House: Judiciary Senate: Administration	Reported favorably
HB 399	61-0 (1969)	Author: Calhoun, Frank	Relating to jury fees for trials in small claims courts.
HB 768	59-0 (1965)	Author: Jones, Delwin	Relating to prohibiting unauthorized practice before small claims courts.
HB 343	58-0 (1963)	Author: Ritter, Jr., Jack \| et. al.	Relating to providing that the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court created by a certain Act shall be increased to include all actions for the recovery of money by any person, association of persons, corporation, or by any attorney for such parties, or other legal entity only where the amount involved exclusive of costs does not exceed One Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($150) except claims for salary or wages, which claims shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200); and providing for a filing fee of Three Dollars ($3); and a fee for service of citation of Two Dollars ($2).
HB 393	58-0 (1963)	Author: Peeler, Travis A.	Relating to providing that the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court created by a certain Act shall be increased to include all actions for the recovery of money only where the amount involved exclusive of costs does not exceed $100.00; except for certain claims for wages or salary earned, or for work or labor performed under contract of employment, not to exceed $200.00.
HB 232	57-0 (1961)	Author: Glusing, Ben A.	Relating to amending a certain Act providing that the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court shall be increased to include all actions for recovery of money only where the amount involved does not exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100).
HB 484	56-0 (1959)	Author: Day, Jr., James C. "Jimmy"	Relating to amending certain acts providing for an increase in the jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court.
HB 495	54-0 (1955)	Author: Carr, Waggoner \| et. al.	Relating to amending certain Acts so as to clarify the fees to be charged as Court costs and the manner in which citation may be served in the Small Claims Court; to provide such Court costs shall apply only to the costs accruing up to and including the entry of judgment in the Small Claims Court, but shall not apply to any proceeding execution after entry of judgment in such Court.
SB 227	54-0 (1955)	Author: McDonald, Warren Swann	Relating to amending certain Acts to provide for a Two Dollar fee for services of citation out of Small Claims Courts; to provide for accounting therefor; to prohibit mileage therefor.
HB 495	53-0 (1953)	Author: Carr, Waggoner \| et. al.	Relating to creating Small Claims Courts in the several counties within the State of Texas; prescribing their jurisdiction and venue.
HB 970	47-0 (1941)	Author: Reed, William Otey \| et. al.	Relating to empowering cities of over 75,000 inhabitants to have small claims courts.

The Legislative Archive System is a work in progress. Complete information is not available for all bills and all sessions. Visit the Legislative Archive System status page for details. Please contact the Legislative Reference Library at 512-463-1252 if you have any questions. Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.